The Stillery, a Nashville-based restaurant and live music venue, recently expanded its concept with a new location in Chandler, Arizona. Co-owner Steve Kovach turned to Backstage Backyards, an exterior design and installation company, to design, integrate and install the venue’s stage and sound system. Backstage Backyards was created by music industry veteran Joe Denim to employ music industry touring professionals who are out of work due to the pandemic. Denim working alongside Jim Brentlinger selected the RSX Series PA system from Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) for this project. The main goal was to ensure that the space had even coverage at lower volumes during the dinner rush with the ability to crank up the system later in the night and for special events.
“The space has a low ceiling with a raised stage so we needed a compact array that could deliver equal coverage at all volumes, for a reasonable price,” says Brentlinger. “It has long been my opinion that there is no one “best” in the audio world. Rather, it is all application specific. For this project, we felt that the EAW RSX Series paired with the Midas M32 digital console was the best fit.”
The EAW gear list included eight RSX208L 3-way Self-powered Loudspeakers (four per side), three RSX218 Dual 18-inch Subwoofers, two RSX129 2-way Self-powered Loudspeakers and two CIS400 flush-mount ceiling speakers for the bathrooms. The system was designed in a mono block subwoofer array with a slight arc to cover the room without overpowering the staff at the bar area.
“EAW’s main strengths are its audio quality, durability and technical support all while maintaining the confines of budget restrictions,” adds Denim. “The clarity and velocity of the RSX speakers are outstanding. I’ve been on the road for 18 years and I play piano and B3 organ. I work off vibrations, so I can feel and hear the music. When I was standing in The Stillery listening to the system we put in, I could feel it and it was so clean.”
EAW’s RADIUS (RSX Series) couples unique and intelligent features, including OptiLogic™ with EAW’s signature acoustical design. Optimal sonic performance has never been easier or more accessible, and system design and control has never been more approachable. The EAWmosaic™ app provides total system optimization, plus intuitive room design and prediction in a single, comprehensive application. RADIUS harnesses full Dante integration across the line.
“The RSX is an amazing system for the price and I think it stands up to anything out there above its price point,” says Brentlinger. “The intellectual component of the system, the way you can direct the sound to different parts of the room is amazing. In addition, John Mills at EAW was wonderful to work with. I’ve known John for a long time, and he was one of the big reasons we chose EAW for this install. John’s customer service and support solidified my decision to use the RSX Series PA on all the projects we do moving forward.”
